*Noob here* IRC and Discord the same concept? If not, why? If so, your
thoughts on secure/privacy provided
reddit / irc

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violetbateman · 2018-07-16 08:31

Never used but installing HexChat currently and this popped in my
head, most importantly on the security compared to each

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violetbateman · 2018-07-16 08:33

*Welcomed, idk y i put provided

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MachaHack · 2018-07-16 09:22

IRC _can_ be more secure - servers can support ssl and authentication
on connect. Clients can support OTR and then the server can't read the
messages.

IRC is often less secure. Many servers do not support SSL, require
authentication via a message to NickServ after connection (which is
not always a reserved name) and some don't even allow proper accounts
- usernames are first come first serve and if you log out it's up for
grabs again.

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violetbateman · 2018-07-16 09:30

large dependence on the server abilites ok, any commands to check if
server supports? identity safe or unsafe on secure/unsecure against
users and "them", whats the worst possible thing?

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MachaHack · 2018-07-16 09:41

Not so much commands, but stuff like SSL support (with a signed cert,
not much excuse for a self signed one anymore in the world of let's
encrypt), SASL support (so you can auth during connect rather than
message NickServ), having channel/nickname registration at all.

Stuff like OTR users need to opt into by configuring it on a supported
client (doesn't require server support), so it's more of use in small
groups/private messages than large public channels

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[deleted] · 2018-07-16 09:51

[deleted]

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violetbateman · 2018-07-16 10:00

Govt but dont they have access now? Is that a misconception? But
mostly other users (for when on certain chat), easy or hard for people
to get it if they put any effort

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[deleted] · 2018-07-16 10:33

[deleted]

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Aro2220 · 2018-07-16 18:06

IRC is an open standard. Anyone can implement it. You can implement it
securely or not.

Discord is a private company with their own proprietary software. If
you use Discord, you run through their servers which means they (at
least potentially) have access to ALL the data which they can do
whatever they want with it.

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Aro2220 · 2018-07-16 22:09

[https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2015/08/mickens\_on\_secu.html
](https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2015/08/mickens_on_secu.html)

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MachaHack · 2018-07-16 23:11

What governments can do today, criminals can do in 5 years, and
there'll be a browser extension for it in 10.